Chair construction



March 4, 1958 J.-M. WARBURTON ET AL 2,825,393

CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed May 19, 1953 INVENTORS JOSEPH M. WAEBUETON Jr ROBERT E.- BAKE/E ATTORNEYS nited States Patent 7 2,825,393 CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Joseph M. Warbnrton, Struthers, and Robert E. Baker, Youngstown, Ohio Application May 19, 1953, Serial No. 356,022

4 Claims. (Cl. 155-179) This invention relates generally to seat structures and more particularly to a new and improved mounting for a seat or platform adapted to absorb shocks or stresses and provide resiliency in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

The prior art structures can generally be classified in two categories, one providing a relatively rigid surface and the other a resilient cushion-type surface. Past experience has shown that the resilient cushion-type is more comfortable for the user while a properly formed relatively rigid seating surface is the most healthful for prolonged use. Either of these types of seating structures may or may not be covered with a variety of'upholstery and padding but generally speaking all seats fit into one or the other of these basic categories.

In some cases seating structures have utilized a flexible framework stretched over a rigid frame in an attempt to provide a seat incorporating the benefits of both of the classifications mentioned above. However, in such cases little or no deflection is provided in the frame so that a high circumference surrounding the seating area results. This, of course, is undesirable from both a comfort and health standpoint. In order to eliminate all of the disadvantages of the prior seat arrangements and to provide a seat structure which is both healthful and comfortable this invention incorporates a flexible framework on which the seating surface itself is supported. Such a resilient or flexible framework, of course, must provide a certain amount of horizontal and vertical support. However, it has been found that a structure according to this invention provides not only vertical flexibility but a limited amount of horizontal flexibility in'all directions.

It is an important object of this'invention to provide a seat structure which resiliently supports the seating surface and provides both vertical and horizontal flexibility.

It is another object of this invention to provide a seat mounting structure which reduces the fatigue of the user by firmly supporting while still being comfortable and restful.

.It is "a still further object of this invention to provide a seat structure which is adapted to simple and economical manufacturing techniques so as to reduce the cost of structure.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in view of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a seat structure incorporating this invention wherein the seat portion is supported by a separate support portion;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the seat structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a seat structure incorporating this invention wherein a substantially rectangular shape is provided;

Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to Fig. 3 excepting a generally circular seat structure is provided;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the seat structure shown in Fig. 2;

Patented Mar. '4, 19 58 Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a seat structure according to this invention which is subjected to a concentrated off-center load;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a seat structure according to this invention employing an integral platform structure; and,

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of this invention wherein the support section is formed with a generally tubular structure.

A seat structure according to this invention comprises a spring device generally ring shaped formed of resilient material. The spring device includes an upper portion providing a substantially horizontal surface adapted to engage and support the circumference of a seating surface, a downwardly extending portion and a lower portion beneath and spaced from the upper portion.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention the seat structure is formed with a substantially horizontal seating platform or surface which is mounted at its periphery on a support member. The support member provides a surface adapted to engage and support the periphery of the platform and is formed with a downwardly extending section. This downwardly extending section extends completely around the support section of the support member and terminates in an inwardly extending mounting section. The support section, the downwardly extending section and the mounting section combine to form a ringlilre support member which is completely enclosed and which has a cross section substantially in the shape of a C. In the preferred embodiment the platform or seating surface is formed of a relatively rigid sheet material which may be formed with contours adapted to provide a comfortable seat arrangement and the support member is formed of molded or stamped resilient sheet material which provides a spring action. The lower or inwardly extending surface of the support member may be adapted to any suitable frame or base. 7 g V I Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 discloses a preferred embodiment of this invention wherein the seat or platform portion 10 is formed of relatively rigid sheet material which may be formed with contours best seen in 1' adapted to provide a comfortable seating surface. The platform portion 10 is attached at its periphery to a support member 11 which extends completely around the platform in the form of a ring. The support member 11 is formed with a generally horizontal upper portion 12 which engages and supports the platform 10, a downwardly extending portion 13 and an inwardly extending bottom portion 14. These three portionsof the support member form a substantially C shaped resilient support which extends completely around the platform 10 and provides a resilient spring-like support for the platform which permits vertical and horizontal movement of the platform and combinations thereof. Bolt or fastening devices 16 are provided in the'lower inwardly extending portion 14 so that the support member may be fastened to the base of the furniture.

The support member 11 is preferably formed of a sheet material which may be molded to the desired shape and which provides resilient properties. Numerous plastic materials satisfy these requirements and may be utilized a and, if desired, even sheet metal is satisfactory. The

applications i't't -mayfbe idesirabIetofo'rm the platvfo m r1 j tes a with 't ef ppq tme n e ,11 h 7 in 'Fig. 7. a

1 When the 'load is ve t c spr na' t q e whi' wi eab o iS QFK dthe like. Howeveryin some cases anon=unrfor rnload w ll be 7 ppl d .to he s str tu and;;I-i a9l :a st e Pl io mwi t t tip i rt d re t onq h pada shpwn in Fig 6. This results in an action somewhat like the swivel seat without requiring the elaborate swivel str uetuI e prr n in Pa dev As'nqt ni-E 61 whe applied uniformly the support mem- 7 he 1; Ts nomp gs e su s a tial y :uvni arnily; e u tia in area and an" outer substantially continuousie'dge' portion, a d an annu a pt n e enie seem d t th saidm tb substantially continuously along the entire length ,of said edge portion, said spring element having an annular portion disposed'below the seating surface'member and within the edge portion thereof for engagement over substantially 360 with an annular supporting surface.

of the member adjacent to'the concentrated stress is corn- 1 'pre Sedr tend ing' to cause '-the platform tqmove slightly in t dir ti n of .t pfi-t n er. oad o i t e Thi resu ts; in r i g for th pn sit a id pa ed ib ga st a gh en ng ft e s ppo tme b in th q h p atf t 9 e t us lte rr. .el evin a pe sq using the seat .of uncomfortableand unhealthy'strains which were present in the-prior strpctures. Those skilled in the ;art realize that a seat structureincorporating this invention hasfthe advantages of -;a relatively firm support while providing the comfort normally only present in a softcushiomm t a If desiredthe structure according to this invention may be upholstered or covered with'pads to provide'anyldesired appearancesjwithout departing from the invention. Iti apparent that 'although the seat structure according to this invention has the advantages normally present only in soft cushions that the cost ofmanufacture is decide d ly reducedsince'the structuremayibe molded as one" piece with the platform formed integrally with the support a member as shown in Fig.7, or in two pieces which'rnay easily be attached; All of the expensiveand time consum- 7 ing operations offspring and framing assembly are elim: V inated thus providing not onlya moresatisfactory-seating 7 device but reducingthe manufacturing cost tremendously.

' i A f b ic te ea qcombi i a uni ersa aarw is n p an balanced horiz nta a id-v t t 'r sil en y whiqh' c mp e Z 8i gH a .imemhe rh y n ascetr oad-bea ing e a 'an q t s bsta t a icqn i umis circular-edge portion, and'a separately-formed, closed,

The fabricated seat construction illustrated in Fig; 8 V

comprises a seating surface member 18 which is generally circular in plan "view and which is of thickness approximating that of the seating surface portions :of the f devices of this invention illustrated in the other drawings, herein and-described above; This fabricated seat 10 also includes a spring element 19 in-the form of a torus of resilient material. The seat element 18 is secured around its @peripheryto the top of thetorus spring 19 and the t lowermost annular portion of-the torus spring is disposed 2. A seat combining universal spring support and bali "f anced h'orizontaland yerticalrresiliencytwhich comprises a seating surfacemember'having "a central load-bearing area a 1 ent s stantiall .;.9 tinw slseaetion, andan annular' springelementfsecured to the said; member substantially continuouslyalong the entire length a of said edge portion; saidspringelement having an annular inwardly-directedportion below {the seating surface member and terminating in an edge disposed within the v edge portion of said member for engagement over substan;

tially 360 with an annular supporting'surface.

ring-shaped, tubular spring element pf .lrfesilientg-;sheet ls c fiqz hesa mem e s btstantial n m ously along the entire length pf said eglge portion said p g element bei g d sp ed e ow t e, sea n su f s 1 a member an having i n u a ilow gsn -f amnion-to l engagement ov r; sub tantial y 6 f? w th an ann l sun portingsurface. I e

portjand balancedjhorizontal and'vertical rasiliencywhich comprises a seatingsurfaceymemberhavingacentralloadh g me: 'and anzouter' 'uhsta tai s/"conti uou ed P o a d-a:s p ate yefo m da nula sp n ae eateatz secured to a the said men iber substantially--,continuously along the entire length} of saidedgeport' n; saidtspr in g elemerit having an: annul r edge por ion sp e elowathe seating surface inernberand disposed within-gandsubstantially parallelingthe edgeportion of {the said member for engagement over ,substantiallyi3 6 0 ,withana nular supa porting surface; 7'

for enga-gement over substantially {3 60" with an annular supporting surface.

-Having-completed a detailed description of a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention so that-others skilled in the artmay be able to understandand practiceithe same, we state that whatwe desire to secure by Letters 7 Patent is not limited by said preferred embodiment but i a rather is definedinwhat'isclaimed.

What isclaimed is:

a 1. 'Aseat omb g u ivefi r p it $912 5 fi d fi r tanced. horizontal and vertical'resiliency which comprises a;seating surface member having a central loadabearing 'ReferencesCited V s V a 1 

